Inside Panasonic's Takumi Mind
Every aspect of our business, from research and development to production and quality control, is guided by the Takumi way. Takumi is Japanese for master craftmanship, but it is more than that. Takumi people are artisans possessing an irreplaceable depth of experience that represents the sum of their knowledge in a specific area. They are also responsible for building new technological developments into processes refined over decades, so that knowledge lives and grows. Takumi Mind balances experience with innovation as we strive to create batteries that make life better.
"We've shipped 220 billion units to 130 countries from 13 global factories in our 87-year history. It's the Takumi at every factory in every profession that support those businesses. For 87 years, we've passed on our predecessors' skills, know-how, and craftsmanship. In others words, our DNA. Today, we lead in training new Takumi."
Designed for Earth, designed for life
Takumi transforms ordinary. In artisan hands, eneloop emerges as a product not to use, but to enjoy. By combining dry-battery convenience with efficient reusability, sustainable life and clean energy society come closer to reality. Panasonic eneloop shrinks your ecological footprint, eliminating waste from dead batteries. It arrives pre-charged with solar energy. Every time you recharge, there’s genuine satisfaction at resources saved. Years of faithful performance inspire trust in eneloop as part of your family. Using them feels good, and that’s what Takumi master craftsmanship is all about.
Primary Global Design Awards
Since the first-generation products were released in 2005, eneloop, its unique environmentally friendly packaging, and associated eneloop family products have continued to be recognized with some of the world’s most prestigious design accolades, including numerous iF Design Awards from Germany. So don’t just take our word for it—see for yourself why eneloop is the world’s most innovative rechargeable cell.
2017 iF Design Award
Product design category
Judges at iF Design Awards 2017 recognized the superiority of eneloop rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and how these unique products have led a shift toward sustainable energy. Each cell can be reused 2,100 times with around 70 % energy retained after 10 years in storage.
The tones ocean package design reflects a “sea glass” concept, with colors reminiscent of waves washing on a beach. This represents a need to preserve the world’s natural beauty by minimizing waste and exploiting sources of renewable energy. Differing shades serve a practical purpose by allowing users to identify charged and non-charged batteries, and each cell ships pre-charged with solar power.
2016 Long life design Award
“A product that deals with issues facing this generation, and one that exemplifies long-life design for the future.” That was the judges’ assessment at the 2016 Good Design Awards as eneloop received Long Life Design 2016, an accolade recognizing products that contribute to a better world by lasting longer, reducing waste, and creating value. Noting how eneloop is improving people’s lifestyles to the mutual benefit of the environment with expansion into 80 countries and more than 370 million cells shipped, the judges said eneloop’s low-self-discharge and reusability deliver economy and efficiency while reducing waste associated with disposable batteries. This is the eleventh Good Design Award eneloop has received since launching in 2005.
2016 iF Design Award
Cell design
This Ni-MH battery is rechargeable up to 2,100 times and is a cost-effective alternative to disposable batteries. The “organic” range reinforces eneloop’s mission to promote eco-sustainability with long-lasting product life and reusability, and is available in four colors: brown (soil and water), orange (flowers), white (plaster), and green (fresh verdure)—all hues that recall gardens and horticulture. The colors also serve a practical purpose, helping users to distinguish between charged and non-charged cells. Naturally, all batteries are pre-charged with solar energy and are ready to use after purchase
Packaging design
Ecological sustainability is carried through to the recycled PET packaging for easy recycling after disposal. The packaging also doubles as a battery carry-case, allowing users to protect their investment while minimizing wastage. Both reusability and recyclability helped eneloop tones organic to victory in the packaging category.
Hailed as a “groundbreaking global concept” with “simple, no frills design”, the eneloop solar storage system was recognized with a Good Design Award for its ability to generate, store, and utilize clean energy. The product includes a solar panel and two LED lamps so people living in areas without electricity can safely illuminate their homes. The product is also ideal for general outdoor use.
Other Global Design Awards
Challenge Zero: how we prevent defects
Quality starts at home. We designed more than 100 production lines in 13 factories to our specification, and have built some facilities from scratch. Factories are our value creators. The challenge is to constantly improve our production so it flows like water. There is still much to learn from our predecessors (some lines are still in operation 50 years on), yet quality can leap forward with the advent of new technology, such as AI and robotics. It is balancing between traditional and modern, volume and quality, with Takumi guiding us. Our facilities are designed around people so their knowledge can be enriched and passed on to the artisans that follow.
Thousands of prototypes, one winning formula
Of the infinite compositions that can comprise a battery’s chemistry, it’s the 87 years of accumulated knowledge inside a Takumi’s head—and the thousands of prototype batteries they craft by hand—that decides the final formula used in our products. Takumi know-how joins with our suppliers’ expertise as we develop unique materials to give Panasonic batteries an edge. Rather than relying on computer simulations, prototypes are exhaustively tested and promising designs refined to perfection. Panasonic honors Takumi Mind by continually deepening our knowledge pool with a commitment to surpass the world’s best.
Production Lines: Flowing like water
Quality starts at home. We designed more than 100 production lines in 13 factories to our specification, and have built some facilities from scratch. Factories are our value creators. The challenge is to constantly improve our production so it flows like water. There is still much to learn from our predecessors some lines are still in operation 50 years on), yet quality can leap forward with the advent of new technology, such as AI and robotics. It is balancing between traditional and modern, volume and quality, with Takumi guiding us. Our facilities are designed around people so their knowledge can be enriched and passed on to the artisans that follow.
Our rechargable batteries
eneloop
eneloop is a long-life, pre-charged, energy and money saving, recyclable rechargeable battery which can be charged and discharged now even up to 2100 times.
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eneloop pro
eneloop pro batteries are the perfect choice for high energy consuming devices such as photo strobe flash lights, wireless keyboards, mice, game controllers and household devices.
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eneloop lite
The eneloop lite batteries are ideal for low-to-medium power consumption devices, such as DECT phones and remote controls. It retains 70% of its initial charge even after 5 years.
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